A message you’ve heard many times this weekend, but British Columbians are once again being asked to avoid any temptation to travel or gatherings this long weekend.
Speaking on the Jeff Andreas Show, Health Minister Adrian Dix says we know the person you are most likely to transmit COVID-19 to is someone you’re close to which should be all the more reason for people to take action.
“I am confident that they are going to but we have to keep the pressure on,” he said. “This is unprecedented in my lifetime. I’m 55. We’ve never seen anything like this, and so we need to continue to come together so that all of the sacrifices that people are making in Kamloops and everywhere else are not lost.”
Like Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Dix says this is a really important weekend.
“I think that the cost of COVID-19 is still being felt,” he added. “We’ve had significant numbers of deaths, most of them in long term care, and almost all except for two on Vancouver Island in the Vancouver region.”
Meanwhile, Premier John Horgan added the this Easter weekend will be challenging to make sure people follow social distancing rules.
Horgan was asked about provincial parks being closed, and pressures that could put on local parks and potentially Search and Rescue groups, from people in the backcountry.
“Those are legitimate concerns. We’ve been fairly clear, I think abundantly clear, Minister (George) Heyman with respect to BC Parks, Minister Dix and Dr. Henry, about the importance of not travelling unless you absolutely have to,” he said.
“It’s going to be a wonderful weekend in southern British Columbia, I can well imagine people are going to be going outdoors, as they should.”
Horgan says people need to maintain their distancing in parks and other public places.
“You don’t have to be at a park, you can be in your own community, you can be in your own neighborhood,” Horgan added.
“Those who live in apartment buildings have a bigger challenge, but getting out and onto the streets, self distancing, making sure you’re two metres apart, focusing on ensuring that you’re interfering with someone else’s well-being is the best way forward.”
And Dix also says the province will look to provide more modelling for how the novel coronavirus will continue to impact the province next week.
(Photo: hikekamloops.ca)
